Biology
Head of Dept: Mrs K Barnett
Staff in department
Mr P Laird, Miss N McDonagh, Mrs L Steen, Mrs S Stewart, Mrs S Moore, Miss T Donaghy
A Level
- A level exam board: CCEA
Module | % of AS or A2 grade | How is it assessed? | Module Title |
---|---|---|---|
AS Module 1 | 37.5% of AS 15% of A level | External written exam 1 hour 30 mins at the end of Year 13 | Molecules and Cells |
AS Module 2 | 37.5% of AS 15% of A level | External written exam 1 hour 30 mins at the end of Year 13 | Organisms and Biodiversity |
AS Module 3 | 25% of AS 10% of A level | External written exam assessing practical skills 1 hour+ Internal practical assessment | Practical skills |
A2 Module 1 | 24% of A level | External written examination 2 hours 15 mins at the end of Year 14 | Physiology, Co-ordination and Control, and Ecosystems |
A2 Module 2 | 24% of A level | External written examination 2 hours 15 mins at the end of Year 14 | Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends |
A2 Module 3 | 12% of A level | External written examination assessing practical skills + 1 hour 15 mins Internal practical assessment | Practical skills |
GCSE
GCSE | % of GCSE grade | How is it assessed? | Unit title |
---|---|---|---|
Unit 1 | 35% | External written exam Foundation Tier: 1 hour 15 mins. Higher Tier: 1 hour 30 mins | Cells, Living Processes and Biodiversity |
Unit 2 | 40% | External written exam Foundation Tier: 1 hour 15 mins. Higher Tier: 1 hour 30 mins | Body Systems, Genetics, Microorganisms and Health |
Unit 3 | 25% | Booklet A: Students carry out two pre-released practicals Booklet B: External written examination | Practical Skills |
KS3: Brief topic overview
Year 8
Taught as Combined Science. Biology topics involved are Classification, Cells and Respiration, Reproduction, Working as A Scientist.
Year 9
Plant Reproduction, Photosynthesis, Food and Digestion, Genes and DNA, Food Chains and Food Webs, Pollution and Conservation, Water and Living Organisms, Biology and Careers.
Year 10
Food and Energy, Circulation, Enzymes, Microbiology, Nervous system.